Mr Mitchell Mitchie Lee Yager

At the beginning of the obituary I read that Mitchell Lee Yager was born on December 15, 1992. However, I like to think more of it like this. On December 15, 1992, Mitchell Lee Yager BURST into this world full of energy with his cute chubby cheeks, infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye. And that is the Mitch that we are here today to remember. A young man who, in his short 23 years, had more energy than I have ever seen in any one person.

Mitchell’s zest for life, fun, jokes and laughter followed him from a toddler, through grade school, high school and in short years since. I am pretty sure that each one of you here have at least one Mitch story that you could share and hopefully, over the next few days, weeks, months and years, you will remember those with fondness and share them with the family and each other. I know for a fact that someone could almost write a book entitled “Life with Mitch” and it would be on the top 10 list of good reads or perhaps comedies. I have approximately 30 weeks of memories from the short times he would visit and I do know for a fact that there was never a time when he was up in Michigan that I did not have to put on the Aunt Tammy voice and say “Mitchell Lee” and he would always say, “yes ma’am” with a smile, a hug and then continue to do whatever it was anyway. Amazingly enough, not only did our small little family have great times and memories of Mitch, or affectionately as he was known to us in Lake Odessa, The Texas Tornado, but many of our neighbors and dear close friends fondly remember and grieve his loss. In honor of his deceased grandfather, a favorite memory of Grandpa Yager and Grandma Ellen was one year when he was about 7 or 8 he stayed at our house and got up one morning early and decided he wanted to go surprise them and have coffee with them. He walked across the field, around the creek and to their house, about a half to three quarter mile away. They were sitting on their deck and could not figure out who was walking across the field and then as he got closer, realized it was Mitch. They were so excited. That was the kind of kid he was. Always thinking of how he could brighten someone’s day.

Mitchell’s love for his parents was strong and evident to all. He loved to hunt and work with Tim and he loved to antagonize his mother and then give her big hugs and tell her “I love you” as she would walk away—that is if he did not have her in a big bear hug and wouldn’t let her go all the while she’s saying, Stop it, stop it and he is laughing and continuing on. Mitchell has shared with me before how much he loved his parents. He realized how lucky and fortunate he was to have their love and support over the years and knew that even during disappointing times, he was still loved immensely. Mitchell loved his brother Timothy and thought the world of him and was very proud to be called his little brother. T’s friends were Mitch’s friends and he told me it was like having a whole bunch of big brothers. Together, telling a story, or making one up, Mitchell and Timothy were the Laurel and Hardy of good times. Timothy recently asked Amy to marry him and Mitchell could not have been more excited. He loved Amy like the sister he had never had and was looking forward to their upcoming wedding.

Mitchell not only loved his immediate family, but his extended family was immensely important to him. He loved to pick on and be around his Grandmommy and cherished the times he was able to hunt and spend with his paw-paw. When I asked all the family to send me one or two words that immediately came to mind when they heard the word “Mitch”, I was amazed with all the words that they came up with – and the common theme that went along with them. Listen to the words and see if you agree with what we all came up with. Welcoming, likeable, uplifting, loving son, my Mitchy, precious, kindhearted, gentle, sweet, rosy cheeks, smile, funny, happy, affectionate, witty, the Texas tornado, clownish, big hugger, patience, caring, compassionate, loyal, lovable, heart of gold, body surfing, mischievous, energy, smart alec, charming, messy eater, charismatic, fun, entertaining, happiness, big smile, Dennis the Menace, sunlight, complimentary, dedicated, sunshine, – These will always be words that describe our Mitch. The main theme that ran through most of these words fit under Heart of Gold. Mitchell’s heart was full of love and he was not afraid to show that love to his family and friends. The compassion, patience, lovability and charm that exuded from Mitchell made him the very special young man that he was. Mitchell would walk into a room, and immediately tell you that you looked beautiful- even if you looked like a real train wreck. Mitchell was a great hugger. When you got a Mitch hug, you knew it and felt his genuine love for you. His cute smile, big rosy cheeks, energy level and entertaining spirit kept him out of trouble many times when he would frustrate and push every button you had.

Mitch would come up to Michigan every summer with the family while he was growing up. A couple of summers he flew up alone ahead of his family. One such summer I asked him if he would like to go to summer camp that our church runs for a week. He was nervous as he really did not know the kids/staff. He was just getting out of 5th grade and the girls from our church that age were enamored with Mitch and he loved every minute of it. On Wednesday night at camp every year we have a beach service and afterward any child is able to sit and pray or talk with their counselor/staff member. Mitchell asked Jesus in his heart that night at the beach. He was with his counselor and he was so excited to come and tell me. I went down by the water to sit and talk with Mitch after he was done praying and we talked about the life change that he had just made. He was so excited and pumped to go back to the camp and tell everyone and then home to share. As we sat there, a pair of big white swans swam by. He thought that was so cool and I told him that every single year that pair of swans would come by after our service was over and it was like they were celebrating a new life in Christ with us. The adult counselor from camp that year along with the teen helper have both reached out and commented that they remember that night and Mitchell was someone they will never forget. Mitchell not only touched the lives of so many down here in Texas, but when he came to little old Lake Odessa, Michigan he spread his love and joy to all he connected with.

Today as we sit here and remember and honor Mitch’s memory, one thing that I know in my heart is this….Mitchell HAS gone to heaven where he will now live until the day that we meet with him again. The assurance I have of this is that on July 14, 2004, Mitchell Lee Yager asked Jesus Christ to come into his heart as his Lord and Savior in Michigan. On January 31, 2016, Mitchell was baptized right here in this church and publicly admitted to being a follower of Christ. Mitchell knew in his heart what he wanted and where he was going someday.

After Mitch’s baptism, I sent him a message congratulating him on his baptism and asked him if he remembered that night in Michigan at Kid’s camp when he asked Jesus in his heart and the two swans swam by. He wrote back and thanked me and said , “Aunt Tammy, yes I remember and it was the best night of my life.”

As you might recall, when I read the obituary at the beginning I said that on February 11, 2016 Mitchell left his earthly home and entered into the arms of Jesus. Again I need to change that a bit so it reminds us of the Mitchell we all knew and loved, “On February 11, 2016, Mitchell left his earthly home and danced, laughed and ran into the arms of Jesus, where he was also greeted by Grandpa and Grandma Yager with their arms out smiling saying, Welcome home Mitch!”

This is not goodbye Mitchell Lee. This is “until we see you again someday Buddy.”

**********

Mitchell Lee Yager was born on Tuesday, December 15, 1992, in Houston, Texas, to Tim and Kathi-Jo Desadier Yager. On Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the young age of 23, he left his earthly home and entered into the arms of Jesus.

Mitchell was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather and grandmother, Duane and Shirley Yager, of Lake Odessa, MI; and a dear friend, Cole Fox.

Mitchell is survived by his parents, Tim and Kathi-Jo Desadier Yager; brother, Tim Yager, Jr. and fiance', Amy Jones, all of Katy, Texas; grandparents, Raymond (Diz) Desadier, of Burkeville, Texas and Lee Desadier, of Houston, Texas; step-grandmother, Ellen Yager, of Lake Odessa, MI; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mitchell was a 2011 graduate of Katy High School, where he lettered in lacrosse, and was a recent graduate of PIMA Medical Institute. Mitchell lived life to the fullest. He always had something funny to say or do to others and could light up the room with his infectious grin and mischievous antics. If anyone was having a bad day, or getting after him, Mitch would break out into song and end it with a big hug. Mitch was an outdoorsman from an early age with a genuine love for hunting and fishing. Family was extremely important to Mitchell and he loved the many get-togethers with his immediate and extended family. He had a servant's heart and loved to help others out with any projects. Mitchell was a hard worker and just recently had started his own business, Cane Island Power-Washing. He attended Current Christian Church, was recently baptized and was involved with the Mens' Ministry.

Visitation with the Yager family will be Monday, February 15, 2016, between the hours of 10:00-11:00AM, at Current Christian Church, 26600 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, Texas 77494. A Service of Celebration honoring Mitch's life will begin at 11:00AM. Interment will follow at Katy Magnolia Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Current Christian Church, designated to the Mitchell Yager Memorial Fund, on behalf of the Men's Ministry or to Katy Christian Ministries, PO BOX 986, Katy, Texas 77492.